This week, we've identified and ranked the 10 biggest characters in the NBA today. Now, we're nearing the end of our list.

What, exactly, do we mean when we call someone a "character"? In a word: distinctiveness. A player could be funny. He could be strange. He could be downright weird. All of these traits — either in combination or on their own — might qualify a player for inclusion on this list.

On the court: Howard is, without question, the best center in the sport today. He also has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for three consecutive seasons. He finished second in the league MVP voting in 2010-11.

What makes him a character: Stereotypically, NBA centers are supposed to be surly. Howard is the exact opposite. He plays as hard as anyone, but he approaches the game with an uncommon exuberance and zest for life. His smile shows that. . . . He's also one of the best dunking big men in NBA history, and his Superman outfit at All-Star Weekends revealed his gift for showmanship. . . . He has dressed up as Dave Chappelle's character, Tyrone Biggums, as you can see here. . . . Unfortunately for Howard, his lack of patience on the court sometimes gets the best of him. He accumulated 18 technical fouls last season.